Oil and ignition switch alarm



June 6, 1933. I A. A. NELSON 1,912,738

OIL AND IGNITION SWITCH ALARM Filed; April 3, 1929 INVENTOR.

Patented June 6, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v I ARTHUR A. NELSON, F BURLINGTON, IOWA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0 JOHN S.

' STUBBLEFIELD, 0F BURLINGTON, IOWA OIL AND IGNITION SWITCH ALARM Application filed April 3, 1929. Serial No. 352,267.

be either visual or audible to be associated combustion engine,

with an internal combustion engine, and the like employing a pressure lubricating sys tem to indicate defects in the oiling system due to lack of oil or failure thereof to flow and also operating to indicate closed condition of the ignition switch when the engine is idle.

A further object of the invention is to provide an oil and ignition switch alarm wherein a signal switch is rendered inoperative in the presence of a normal flow of oil in the pressure lubricating system of an internal the signal switch being rendered operable upon a fall in oil pressure and being in its normally closed operative position gives the alarm when the ignition switch is initially moved to closed position, the wiring arrangement for the alarm switch including the ignition switch whereby the alarm is given whenever the ignition switch J is on, and should the engine cease operating.

lVith the above and other objects in view that will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawing and claimed.

In the drawing Figure 1 is an elevational view of the oil and ignition switch alarm showing the signal switch in operative communication with the pressure lubricating system of an internal combustion engine, the alarm device and ignition switch electrically connected;

Figure 2 is a detail sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing the alarm switch contacts separated from each other;

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 1 showing the pivotal mounting for one of the alarm switch contacts;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view taken on line H of Figure 1; and

' Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken on 7 line 5-5 of Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 1, the reference numeral 1 designates a part of an automobile, preferably the instrument board upon which the alarm device 2is mounted, that in the present instance is illustrated in the form of a visual signal, but it is to be understood that an audible signal may be substituted therefor. An alarm switch is associated with the pressure lubricating system of the automobile and is electrically connected to the alarm device 2 and also the ignition switch 3 that may be conveniently mounted upon the instrument board 1.

The alarm switch is confined in conveniently located casing 4, the bottom wall of the casing 4; carrying a mounting block of the design shown more clearly in Fig. 1 comprising block portions 5 connected at their upper ends by an angular arm 6 with an upper end extension arm 7. An insulation switch con tact support is mounted on the bottom wall of the casing 4 and comprises a block 8 rotatable upon the attaching screw bolt 9 with a base extension arm 10 and an upper angularly directed extension arm 11. The base arm 10 of the insulation block 8 has an alarm switch contact 12 secured thereto by the screw bolt 13, the switch contact 12 having an electric conductor 14 extending to one side of thelamp 2a of the alarm device 2. The insulation block 8 is rotatably adjustable upon the screw bolt 9, the outer end of the upper arm 11 of the insulation block 8 carrying a link 15 pivoted at one of its ends thereto while the other end of the link carries an adjusting screw and slot connection 16 with the angle arm 6 of the mounting block 5.

The pressure lubricating system of the automobile includes the pipe 17 leading from an oil pump and extending as at 18 to an oil pressure gage, a T-fitting 19 being interposed therein to provide a branch pipe connection 20 with the enlarged open end 21 of the Bourdon or flexible tube 22 within the alarm switch casing- 4. An arm 23 is pivotally mounted as at 24 upon the free end of the arm 7, one end of the arm 23 carrying the switch contact 25 cooperating with the switch con tact 12 while the other end of the arm 23 has the link connection 26 with the closed end of the flexible tube 22. The alarm switch contacts 25 and 12 are normally closed and are separated or opened in a manner to be presently described in the presence of pressure in the lubricating pressure system.

The ignition switch 3 has the wire connection 27 from one battery terminal while the switch 3 has connected thereto the wire 28 from the coil, the wire 29 extending from the coil side of the switch to the lamp 2a in the alarm device 2. The electrical hook-up includes the flow of electrical energy from the coil side of the ignition switch through the wire 29 to one terminal of the double contact lamp 2a and through the wire 14 from the other contact of the lamp to the insulated switch contact 12 in the alarm switch casing 4, and with the contact 25 engaged with the contact 12, the current is grounded and returned to the battery and from the latter by way of the wire 27 to the other side of the ignition switch.

With the contacts 25 and 12 of the alarm switch and gage as shown in Figure 1, the circuit through the alarm device 2 is closed upon operating the ignition switch 3. When the engine is operated, oil flows through the pipes 17 and 18 to the oil pressure gage and bypasses through the branch 20 to the flexible tube 22, pressure of the oil therein expanding the tube 22 to operate the arm .43 by its link connection 26 therewith to move the contact 25 away from the contact 12, thus destroying the circuit and shutting off the alarm device 2. The insulation block 8 may be rotatably adjusted to initially set the switch contact 12 with respect to movable contact 25 so that the alarm device may be operated in the presence of the desired degree of pressure in the lubricating system. Should the engine become stalled during operation, the flow of oil through the lubricating system would cease with a resultant contraction of the flexible tube 22 and engagement of the contacts 25 and 12 to sound the alarm 2. Vith the alarm device 2 in electric circuit with the ignition switch 3, an alarm is given should the ignition switch be accidentally turned to its operative position.

From the above detailed description of the invention, it is believed that the construction and operation thereof will at once be apparout, and while there is herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made there in without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim 1. A circuit closer adapted to be operated by fluid pressure comprising a flexible tube having at one end an enlarged pressure chamber, normally engaged contact points, a rotatably adjustable insulation block, a laterally directed arm carried thereby for the support of one of the contacts and the other contact being pivotally mounted and associated with the other end of the flexible tube and adapted to be moved away from the adjustable contact when the tube is flexed, a second lateral arm carried by the insulation block, and a link attached to the outer end of the last named arm adapted to be shifted for the rotatable adjustment of the insulation block and contact carried thereby.

2. A circuit closer adapted to be operated by fluid pressure comprising a case, a mounting block in the case, a rotatably adjustable insulation block in the case, an arm projecting laterally from the base of the insulation block, a contact carried by the outer end of the arm, a lever pivoted on the mounting block and carrying a contact normally engaged with the atoresaid contact, an arm projecting laterally from the upper end of the insulation block, a link pivotally connected to the lastnamed arm, extending above the mounting block and having a pin and slot connection therewith for adjustment of the insulation block, a flexible tube having an enlarged pressure chamber at one end and a link connection between the other end of the flexible tube and the lever pivoted on the mounting block.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ARTHUR A. NELSON. 

